Clothing and Society

What influences our clothing selection—how we dress and

how we spend our money!

Influences on clothing• Basic needs (comfort, protection, safety)

• Activities

• Preferences (comfort, value, easy care, status)

Basic Functions of clothing include:1. Protection (sun, harm in sports, occupation)

2. Identification (uniforms)

3. Modesty4. Status (rank or position)

5. Adornment

Other influences

• Family• Friends• Media—advertising,

celebrities, status symbols

A changing society

• More casual living

• Rapid communication

• Multiple shopping options

• Consumer power

• Global Marketplace

Culture

• The collected ideas skills, beliefs and institutions of a society

1. Traditional dress (often now worn only on festive occasions

2. Religious influences3. Clothing as symbols

Show heritage, occupation, values, gender (not as much difference today), role (graduation, sport, bride –bridal gowns differ in different cultures)

4. Expectations for certain occasions—weddings, funerals, dances, job interview, etc

1. Standards may differ in different parts of the country.2. Some places have dress codes.

Clothing Reflects Culture

• Culture- collected ideas, skills, beliefs, and institutions of a society a a particular time in history

• National costumes- distinctive clothing style

Clothing Symbols

• Heritage- traditions handed down from ancestors (US- white wedding dress – purity)

• Occupation- Uniforms • Roles- bridal gown,

letterman’s jacket• Gender- men vs women

skits vs. pants• Values- religious

symbols, Amish

Clothing and Families

• Family life cycle—what stage in life you are in—teen vs. mom

• Multiple roles—career-home

• Budgets

Clothing and self expressionDo we judge people by how they dress?

Your “clothing philosophy” determined by what you value—

Do you

1. Want to stand out or blend in

2. Be comfortable

3. Be in style

Self-Expression

• Create impressions (appearance and behavior, body language)

• Clothes Communicate – Personality (emotions, self-concept)– Conformity– Individuality– Choices and Consequences– Searching the Real You (hair color, trends)